Austrian Officials Go Far Beyond the LawAugust 31,2015: In several Austrian states, the authorities are trying to add requirements for homeschooling going far beyond the regulations of the school laws.

Going Far Beyond the LawAugust 8, 2015: Homeschoolers band together against increased attacks; anticipate upcoming conference from September 17-20, 2015.

Education without SchoolMarch 6, 2011: An Austrian newspaper interviews two homeschooling families in Vienna, describing their homeschool program and homeschool regulations in Austria in a neutral tone. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Legal status of homeschooling: Homeschooling is legal and regulated by the Austrian government at the local level. Per the Compulsory Education Act of 1985, Austria’s compulsory education requirement can be fulfilled through “domestic education.” Domestic education (home education) is considered a form of private schooling.

Private schools must be “at least equivalent” to the public school, which is evaluated through an examination at the public school at the end of each year.

Parents do not need any special qualifications to instruct their children at home, but they must inform the “Bezirksschulrat” (district school board) before the start of the school year of their intent to homeschool. A school board may prohibit a family’s right to homeschool only if the home school instruction is not “equivalent” to the education provided in the public school. If a family’s decision to homeschool is prohibited, it is possible to appeal the decision of the district school board and go before the “Landesschulrat” (governing education body).